They are doing so by selling a further eight million shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

While it means more shares will be in the hands of investors, it does not alter the ownership of the club in any way - the six children of the late Malcolm Glazer will still own nearly 90 per cent of the Reds.

To me, the Glazers are motivated by taking advantage of recent rises in United's share price, which has risen beyond the $19 mark, having originally listed on Wall Street at $14 two years ago.

Shares have risen recently because of the club's huge kit deal with adidas, showing what really interests investors when it comes to their ability to realise a return.

Read More

Read More

Read More

From day one, United has marketed itself as a 'media' company with the potential to tie-up lucrative partnerships all over the world, based on its 600m-strong fanbase.

There have been no better examples of that than the deals done with, first, Chevrolet, then adidas.

United has done a great job of boosting its commercial revenues, so it is not completely reliant on matchday income and prize money.

David Gill once told me it only mattered that the club was 'there or there abouts' in the Premier League in financial terms but that Champions League qualification was key.

That is because that competition is key to ensuring a worldwide audience, which in turn is key to securing the megabucks commercial deals it has been able to.

That is why the club has once again warned it may struggle to attract top players and coaches should it not get back into the Champions League.

Not qualifying this time around is a blip and commercial partners has shown they still appreciate the appeal of the club.

However, if one season became two, three or four, it could become a problem.

In terms of fans' anger at the latest sell-off, sure it may be annoying the rich get richer but the club has already shown it is prepared to splash the cash this summer and Ed Woodward has already said United would even be prepared to break the world transfer record if need be, so there is no evidence it is going to detract from the Reds' ambitions to once again reign supreme in the Premier League and in the Champions League.